GRAHAM PACKWOOD, FORMER GCHQ WORKER, SENTENCED IN GLOUCESTER FOR CHILD ABUSE

In November 2009, Graham Packwood, a former soldier and GCHQ employee, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for sexually abusing two teenage girls. The offences took place during the 1990s while he was working at the Cheltenham-based intelligence center. Judge Martin Picton at Gloucester Crown Court described the crimes as 'terrible' and 'awful,' noting that they had caused significant emotional trauma to the victims.

Packwood, 48 years old and residing on Stonecrop Avenue in Harrogate, pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent assault on one girl and one count on another girl. Prosecutor Kerry Barker revealed that one victim, who was under 15 at the time, was repeatedly assaulted by Packwood, with the other girl—her friend—being assaulted once.

Addressing Packwood during sentencing, Judge Picton stated, 'It was a terrible thing you did. It is an awful crime and you should be deeply ashamed of yourself.' The judge also highlighted that Packwood had 'stolen the childhood' of the girl he persistently abused.

The court imposed additional restrictions, including a sexual offences prevention order preventing Packwood from working with children or being in their company unless accompanied by an adult. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Prosecutor Kerry Barker noted that at the time of the offences, Packwood was employed by GCHQ, having previously served as a soldier. His career included work for the government at facilities in Cheltenham, with secondments to Ascension Island, Hong Kong, and Cyprus.

The principal victim contacted police last July to report the abuse. Barker emphasized that the impact on both victims had been severe: the girl assaulted only once had engaged in self-harm, attempted suicide twice, and spent time in hospital due to her mental health issues. She also continues to undergo counseling and struggles with forming relationships.

Defence lawyer Richard Dewsbury stated that Packwood's offending ceased in the late 1990s and that there have been no complaints against him since then. He argued that Packwood is not a sexual predator and poses no future danger, describing him as 'a man of positive good character.'